1930s
FACING THE GREAT DEPRESSION
Following the plunge of the Dow Jones by 89% and the new reality of an economic crash, Harry and Walter quickly made adjustments to meet a shrinking market demand. To preserve as much work as possible for existing employees, a pay cut was activated for all owners and employees. Sensitive to the hard times, the Bankers Box Company also started the practice of providing free soup and coffee each day. With banks, the company's primary customer, facing peril the Great Depression accelerated efforts to grow a more diverse and far-reaching customer base. To achieve this, Harry's oldest son, Folger, left college in his Senior year to help his father expand the businesses regions. Harry's other son, John, joined the business shortly thereafter. By the end of the decade, the business achieved record orders and regained its momentum, but a new challenge was on the horizon: World War II.